The primary difference between the Capture Student Edition and the Full Version is that the Student Edition restricts your fixture and asset library while keeping network universe connectivity entirely open. Conversely, the Full Version limits your network DMX universes based on the tier you buy but gives you absolute access to the entire, unrestricted asset library.
Capture Visualisation provides the Student Edition completely free of charge, and it can actually be used for both educational and commercial purposes. Core Feature Comparison Feature / Capability Capture Student Edition Capture Full Version (Solo, Duet, Quartet, Symphony) Cost Free Paid tier system DMX Universes Unlimited
Limited by tier (Solo: 1, Duet: 2, Quartet: 4, Symphony: Unlimited) Fixture & Truss Library Severely reduced (Basic placeholder/old gear examples)
Fully unrestricted (Access to thousands of real-world brands) File Formats Opens and saves Student Edition (.c2s) files only Opens and saves all standard production project files DMX Motion & Special Effects Disabled (No moving scenery, CO2, fire, or water effects)
Fully supported (DMX movers, rotators, and environmental effects) Export Options
Cannot export Presentation files or send data to Production Assist
Full export features (DWG, DXF, MVR, glTF, and Presentations) Console Connectivity Fully functional (sACN, Art-Net, etc.), except MA-Net3
Fully functional across all protocols (including MA-Net3 depending on tier) Key Differences Broken Down 1. The Library Bottleneck
Student Edition: You are given a highly condensed gear library. It mostly consists of generic stock elements or a few older legacy fixtures to represent basic light types (such as generic spots, washes, or beams). You cannot request custom fixture profiles.
Full Version: You gain access to the complete, continuously updated Capture Library, allowing you to drop exact real-world lighting fixtures from major brands directly into your show file. 2. Universe Count vs. Financial Tiers
Student Edition: It surprisingly offers unlimited DMX universes. This makes it powerful for patching huge, complex architectural networks or pixel maps to see how data routes, even if you are just visualizing generic lights.
Full Version: Restricts universes to force a budget hierarchy. To build large shows with authentic fixtures, you must scale up from the entry-level Solo edition to the uncapped Symphony license. 3. Special Effects and Motion Mechanics
Student Edition: Completely static environments only. You cannot program DMX-controlled stage automation, rotating truss structures, scenic tracks, or atmospheric FX like fog, fire, and water jets.
Full Version: Incorporates advanced motion constructs, physics, and atmospheric rendering for highly accurate pre-visualization of modern arena tours and complex theater sets. 4. File Interoperability
Student Edition: Functions inside its own sandbox. While you can fully save your work, a .c2s file saved in the Student Edition will not seamlessly translate into a standard commercial version of Capture, preventing users from bypassing the license structure for professional hand-offs.
If you would like to test out the full library constraints before purchasing, you can download the standard Capture Demo version, which unlocks the complete fixture database but strictly blocks your ability to save files and times out every 30 minutes. Capture Visualizer – Features & What You Get
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